I am back....please help! :)

Thread Starter  

Ok, so I am back again. I was banded 6/11/07.......had one fill mid August 2007 and that was it. I had NO restriction and felt like a complete band failure. So, speed up to this year, after attempting Weight WAtchers again and just having a pity party, I decided to go back to the surgeon the other day. OMG-I got my second fill (2cc in 4cc band) and OMG, I FEEL restriction for the FIRST time!!!!!!!!!!

Soooo, here comes my question. I am on liquid diet for 3-5 days. After this, do I just start to re-introduce normal foods? Do I move to mushies? What do you all do? The *most* I should eat at one sitting is 1/2 cup, right? I know I should know all this, but it's been a year, and I forget.

I look forward to chatting with all of you again.............

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Annie

Hello
I am so happy for you! I understand totally I was banded six months ago and had two fills and no restrictions. I skipped by next fill because I felt it wasn't working and no weightloss. When I finally went in for my third fill I now have restrictions. I was told it can take sometimes up to four fills to feel restrictions. Again I am so happy for you I know that you want the weightloss, but if you are still eating the same what is going on!

Here is the food list from the doctor's office given to me:

Stage 3 After a Fill - For three days - low sugar, high protein liquids (no chunks) (4-8 oz per hour), lots of water, skim milk, low fat yogart, no added sugar applesauce, pudding, strained soups.

Stage 4 - For three days - Lean pureed/ground foods, 1-3 oz of protein, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cooked vegetable or starch, turkey meatballs, tuna salad with crackers, diced chicken with squash, low-fat cheese, scrambled egg, sea scallops, flaky fish with baked potato, cottage cheese with peaches.

Pouch Tips & Eating Guidelines: Eat Slow, chew, chew, chew! Use small plates and utensils, stop eating when your full, do not eat or drink together, keep foods moist, and drink plenty of fluids between meals.

Stage 5 - Begin approximately 1 week after your fill
You may resume a regular healthful diet one week after your fill. This may come sooner for later for some people. It is important to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY in helping to guide you back on a balanced eating pattern.

Portion Size: 2-4 oz of protein & 1/2 cup of cooked vegetable and 1/4 cup of whole grains.

I hope this is helpful - it's wonderful when you feel restrictions!

SisterC

Thread Starter  

thank you sooo much!

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Annie

WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO GET A FILL!?!?!?!?
OMG. I was in the office every 4 weeks on the dot to get a fill until I had restriction, then I kept going... I've even had to have one unfill and just posted on the june thread that I'm considering another unfill.

WELL! I'm soooooo glad you went back for a fill. An unfilled band is like a smoke detector without batteries - It's good to have one, but it ain't gonna do you any good!

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Thread Starter  

I tell you, I just felt like a HUGE failure. I was gaining weight and my self-esteem really went down..........I had a friend t hat was banded, and with ONE fill, she had restriction. I thought I should be the same way.

So, let me ask you guys-
I was filled on Tuesday................I feel A LOT of restriction (a good thing!)...........will this same restriction stay with me? Or is this only temporary? How long will it last????

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Annie

Restriction is different for EVERYONE.
For me I might not feel much restriction at first, but then anywhere from a few days to 2 weeks later it seems to tighten up. Not sure why - you'd think it would tighten in the first few hours, but no, not for me.
Good luck with your fill! If you don't get or retain GOOD restriction then by all means you need to get back in there and get another one! FILL FILL FILL until you can't take it anymore!!

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Thread Starter  

This time I went back and got my fill, the doc made me nervous by saying that if the band doesn't work for me, then he could always switch me to a bypass patient. And OMG, that is something I am petrified of. I am sooo HAPPY I feel restriction-what an amazing feeling. I am just nervous that I only have 2cc's left in my 4cc band.

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Annie

Yeah. I'm at 8cc in my 10cc band... But trust me, you won't cap out. You'll get restriction. I asked my NP about what if I got all the way to 10cc... she said that then I've done something wrong and they will do a total unfill for about 3 months to let everything heal, do a barium test, then slowly start to refill and everything should work like new.

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Thread Starter  

OMG, I lost 15.2 lbs in ONE week!!!!!!!! YAY! :) I LOVE RESTRICTION!!!!!!!!

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Annie

15.2 pounds??? Really?????

I need a fill like that!

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Ashley
Surgery June 26, 2007 - 231.8
Current - 164.8
Goal - 135-140 or size 8 (whichever comes first)

Thats amazing!

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